Oculus Go Review

Viewing media through the three-dimensional goggles of virtual reality is an increasingly popular viewpoint these days. When you are looking for the perfect VR headset, look no further than the Oculus Go VR headset. The Oculus Go offers an immersive and visually stunning experience.

Here we will discuss everything there is to know about Oculus Go. We've chosen a few of its competitors to compare it with. Let's see how VR headsets stack up.

What Is Oculus Go?

Oculus Go is a personal virtual reality headset that functions without the use of a companion device like a computer or console. Instead, the headset functions with the use of a mobile app downloaded onto your phone. The device looks like a pair of goggles when placed onto the head. It doesn't have any cables or cords, which allows for great freedom to move around when using the device.

Oculus Go was designed and made by a division of Facebook called Oculus VR. The product was first presented to the public in 2017, by Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg. Zuckerberg announced that his goal was to see a billion people using virtual reality headsets. Oculus issued the device in the personal VR headset range, which is the least expensive VR headset options for consumers.

Go, by Oculus, was the second VR headset released by Oculus VR. The first was the Oculus Rift. They released Oculus Rift at the end of March, in 2016. The Rift is the premium VR headset in the Oculus VR headset family. Rift costs more than Go, and it provides a few more features.

Product Specs

Even though Go is the cheaper VR headset in the Oculus lineup, it isn't lacking in technical specifications. The LCD display in the Go headset has a refresh rate of either 60 hertz or 72 hertz. Image clarity is spectacular on this headset.

The device's microphone is inbuilt. Go has a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack providing the option for users to plug in their own headphones.

This headset tracks head motions to create the immersive experience. Because the device doesn't accommodate full-motion tracking, users can use the headset anywhere they'd like.

Oculus Media

For new VR users, Go, by Oculus, offers a satisfying array of media. The Oculus store app provides a variety of movies, games, music, and TV that they call experiences. Prices for individual experiences range from free to around $10 a piece.

An exciting addition to the virtual offerings at Oculus is the quality of TV programming now available. The Oculus store includes shows from YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, Showtime, and Fox Sports.

Oculus Packs

Oculus bundles VR pack experiences. Packs are classified based on an overarching theme. These themes include family-friendly, horror, games, space, productivity, indie, and an essential pack. Pack prices range from free to around $37.

Free Media

Besides the paid content on the Oculus store, there are also a variety of free viewing options. Recently spotted on the Oculus Store section were clips from Jurassic World, Tomb Raider, Suicide Squad, Special Ops VR, National Geographic VR, and many more.

Pricing

Oculus Go comes at a very affordable price. It's in the mid-range for personal virtual reality headsets, and it costs around $250 to buy. Other VR headsets in its class have varying price ranges. The cheapest in our review costs under $100. The more expensive headsets cost beyond the $400 range.

How It Compares

We've chosen a few other VR headsets available today to compare with the Oculus Go.

The Oculus Go virtual reality standalone headset puts viewers in an immersive audiovisual experience. The headset provides high-definition optic quality with optimized graphics and built-in spatial audio. The headset comes with a remote control to assist you on your VR journey.

The experience of Oculus go is a 360-degree view of media. Media selection through the Oculus companion mobile app contains thousands of options including movies, games, apps, and television programs. Although no media comes with the headset, there are free viewing options on the app. Users can save their experiences by using the screenshot function built into the headset.

​Ease of Use: 5 out of 5 stars

Oculus Go is easy to put on and easy to use. The process includes connecting the packaged lanyard onto the remote, downloading the Oculus App, and following the prompter instructions to connect to WiFi. This process takes a matter of minutes. The headset works even when the user is wearing eyeglasses.

​Performance: 4 out of 5 stars

The Oculus Go has two memory options: 32GB and 64GB. The 32GB can hold up to 3 HD movies, 10 games, and 20 apps. The 64 GB version doubles this count by providing room for 7 HD movies, 20 games, and 40 apps. On a full charge of the 15000mAH battery, you'll only get around 2 or 3 hours of viewing time. Already downloaded media will work without a WiFi connection.

​Design Quality: 5 out of 5 stars

Oculus Go is a relatively lightweight and attractive VR headset that functions with Android phones or Apple phones. It features a slick, modern, and minimalistic design. The hardware includes a Snapdragon 821 processor with a 2,560 by 1,440 LCD screen. This provides sharp images in a fast-changing, immersive, three-dimensional, VR experience.

The Sony PlayStation VR headset is designed for use with a PlayStation 4 console and PlayStation virtual reality games. The package comes with one VR headset, a processor unit, connection cable, HDMI cable, USB cable, stereo headphones, an AC power cord and adapter, and the PlayStation VR Demo Disc. It doesn't come with the Sony PSV2 camera or the PlayStation Move Motion Controllers.

​Ease of Use: 4 out of 5 stars

​​Sony's PlayStation VR headset is easy to use once you have everything set up. They advertise the device to be as simple as plugging it in and playing, which it is after the initial set up.

​Performance: 2 out of 5 stars

One of the biggest flaws with the Sony PlayStation VR headset is that it doesn't come with the accessories required to use the device. The headset is rendered useless without also purchasing the camera. The headset is relatively lightweight and easy to work with as long as you pay attention to the cables.

​Design Quality: 3 out of 5 stars

Sony PlayStation VR has a space-aged design. The panel screen resolution is 1,920 by RGB by 1,080 OLED display for each eye. The refresh rate is 120 hertz or 90 hertz. The view is 100 degrees. Modes included in the headset are 3D audio processing, a sharing screen, cinematic mode, 4K, and HDR pass-through mode. It features an integrated microphone, accelerometer, and gyroscopes.

​Warranty: 3 out of 5 stars

Depending on where you buy the Sony PlayStation VR headset, you may have a limited one-year warranty. Check with the vendor you are purchasing the device from to learn if they will protect yours with the one-year limited warranty terms.

The Samsung Gear is made using Oculus VR technology. The headset is made to use with your new or previously purchased Samsung Galaxy smartphone. The headset uses the screen from the compatible smartphone to work. A VR remote works with the headset, but it is sold separately. The Samsung Gear VR headset isn't recommended for users under 13 years of age.

After establishing a connection with your phone, you must download a variety of apps to get the headset going.

​Performance: 3 out of 5 stars

Performance for the Gear VR headset has a 101-degree field of view. It comes with a gyro sensor. The image focus isn't as clear as it could be for this product.

​Design Quality: 3 out of 5 stars

Gear VR comes has a chic futuristic design in a color called orchid gray. It's super lightweight for continuous comfort. Because the headset works with the Samsung phone, the resolution will depend on the resolution specs of the phone you are using. The headset is a little flimsier than other VR models.

​Warranty: 3 out of 5 stars

Take note that some Samsung Gear VR headsets are sold with a warranty and some are not. For those that come with a warranty, the headset is covered by a limited one-year warranty.

PROS

Inexpensive to buy

Oculus technology helps prevent motion sickness

Works with a variety of media

CONS

HP Mixed Reality is a headset and controller set made for use on a “decent” gaming computer with Windows. Mac OS users can run Windows 10 Fall Creators Update to link the device. The device comes with a built-in microphone and audio components. The device doesn't have much extra room for those who wear eyeglasses. Included in the bundle are one headset, a two in one HDMI 2.0 and USB cable, and two wireless motion controllers.

​Ease of Use: 3 out of 5 stars

HP's Mixed Reality bundle is no problem to set up. Setup problems only arise when your computer doesn't meet the stringent hookup specifications required by the headset. Double check that your device is compatible with Mixed Reality before purchasing the product.

​Performance: 4 out of 5 stars

Mixed Reality comes with a 2.89 inch dual LCD displays with 1,440 by 1,440 pixels for each eye. The HDMI 2.0 cable can provide refreshing at around 90 hertz.

​Design Quality: 4 out of 5 stars

HP's Mixed Reality is a good looking VR headset. It has sharp picture quality, but the HDMI cable isn't of the finest quality. The headset is compatible with a variety of media types.

​Warranty: 1 out of 5 stars

Warranty information for the HP Mixed Reality headset isn't immediately available on their website.

PROS

Good visual quality

Headset is well-constructed

Setup is easy (with a compatible computer)

CONS

Limited ability to attract users due to the rigid compatibility specs

Provided HDMI cable is poorly made

Is prone to crashing

Conclusion

After looking at the competition, it's clear that the Oculus Go far exceeds its competitors in terms of usability, versatility, and quality. The Oculus Go is a standalone product that doesn't require the user to own a specific console, phone, or computer in order to operate the amazing 3D interactive device.

Although the battery life could use improvement, it is still a step ahead of competitors by even having a solid wireless performance at all. The best thing is that the Oculus Go isn't even the most expensive VR headset on the market. Oculus makes VR more attainable than ever for the average consumer. Oculus Go is a near 5 Star product worthy of your attention.